Unlock York: Why the York Unlocked Festival 2025 Should Be on Your Calendar

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Sep 24
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On 27 and 28 September 2025, York is throwing open many of its most fascinating buildings, galleries, and historic spaces in a weekend-long celebration of architecture, heritage, and public space: York Unlocked Festival returns and it’s free to enter.

This year, the festival coincides with a major milestone: the 50th anniversary of the National Railway Museum (NRM). To mark the occasion, NRM is becoming one of the marquee venues offering behind-the-scenes access, special tours, and new experiences that are rarely open to the public.

What to Expect: Highlights & Features

National Railway Museum Turned Inside-Out

NRM steps into the spotlight in 2025. Festival-goers can peer into the archives, art stores, conservation studio, and even climb into locomotive cabs not usually accessible.
The museum is also using the weekend to celebrate its major renovation: York Unlocked coincides with the reopening of the Station Hall after a two-year, £10.5 million refurbishment.

Some activities during the weekend tied to NRM’s birthday include:

- Wonderlab at The Bramall Gallery (free)
- A Flying Scotsman virtual reality experience
- Miniature Railway rides
- Signalling school workshops (additional ticket)
- Curators on the museum floor, ready to share object stories

(To attend NRM’s events, you still need a regular museum entry ticket; some special access events have extra tickets.)

Outside the Rails: Architecture & Hidden Spaces

Beyond the museum, York Unlocked continues its mission of revealing the city’s “secret” architecture. Expect:

- Tours inside historic guildhalls, churches, and civic buildings
- Access to spaces usually off-limits or behind closed doors
- Walking tours through old neighborhoods, pubs, and lesser-known landmarks
- Artistic or design-led installations in interesting architectural settings

Because many buildings don’t require tickets, there’s plenty of opportunity to wander and discover — though popular tours often sell out quickly.

Festival Tools & Accessibility

To make the most of the weekend:

- A York Unlocked app (iOS & Android) helps you navigate venues, check times, and plan your route.
- Downloadable PDFs for the full programme and a location accessibility document help you plan based on mobility needs.
- A livestream (hosted by John Wright) runs from 2 pm on Saturday, giving remote audiences a front-row seat.

Note: Some historic buildings have architectural constraints (steps, narrow staircases, low lighting). Some venues may not be suitable for attendees with walking difficulties or very young children.

Getting Around

Most venues are clustered in York’s city centre, but a few are in outer “hubs
Bus routes from York Station (1, 1a, 5, 5a) serve hubs like Haxby, Holgate, and Bishopthorpe Road; the 59 Park & Ride reaches the NR.

Alternatively, bikes can be hired and used over the weekend.

Blue Badge parking and city car parks info are available via York City Council.

Why York Unlocked Matters

Festivals like York Unlocked are more than open-door events. They:

- Transform everyday spaces into spectacle
- Remind locals that even familiar buildings have unseen stories
- Encourage civic pride and curiosity about how the city is shaped
- Foster public conversations about architecture, conservation, and urban life

In 2025, partnering so closely with the NRM amplifies that mission. The museum’s refurbishment, and the ability to show its inner workings, align perfectly with the festival’s ethos of unlocking, not just buildings, but understanding.

Tips for Visitors (Pro Tips)

- Book early where possible – some tours have limited capacity and sell out
- Download the app before you go, when you have WiFi, so you’re not burning data on the move.
- Layer your route – mix high-demand tours with free-access buildings so you always have backup in case something’s full.
- Check accessibility docs in advance – especially if mobility or gradients are a concern.
- Arrive early at popular sites (museums, niche tours) – lines and queues are real.
- Catch the livestream if there’s something you can’t physically attend.
- Support the team – York Unlocked is volunteer-driven, and donations or buying a programme help keep it going.

Unlock York: Why the York Unlocked Festival 2025 Should Be on Your Calendar

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